House Made of Dawn

A Novel

By: N. Scott Momaday

Narrated by: N. Scott Momaday, Darrell Dennis

“Both a masterpiece about the universal human condition and a masterpiece of Native American literature. . . . A book everyone should read for the joy and emotion of the language it contains.” — The Paris Review

A special 50th anniversary edition of the magnificent Pulitzer Prize-winning novel from renowned Kiowa writer and poet N. Scott Momaday, with a new preface read by the author

A young Native American, Abel has come home from war to find himself caught between two worlds. The first is the world of his father’s, wedding him to the rhythm of the seasons, the harsh beauty of the land, and the ancient rites and traditions of his people. But the other world—modern, industrial America—pulls at Abel, demanding his loyalty, trying to claim his soul, and goading him into a destructive, compulsive cycle of depravity and disgust.

An American classic, House Made of Dawn is at once a tragic tale about the disabling effects of war and cultural separation, and a hopeful story of a stranger in his native land, finding his way back to all that is familiar and sacred.

Description and narration.

It took concentration and the chapters taking place in the city seemed tedious. In the desert, my attention was good.

The Images and Descriptions of Space and Land Were Fine

But the plot was, in my view, only so-so in its development. And the characterizations of the people in the story were also only so-so.

So, one must decide what’s important.

I realize the desire to honor emerging Native American literature. And, in some ways, this excelled. But, frankly, I wouldn’t call it Pulitzer Prize-worthy.

In any event, there are strengths that merit a listen.

Beautifully written

Everything was perfect. Plot, characters and prose. Descriptions of the New Mexico landscape were breathtaking.

Insight into a person experiencing colonial trauma

Poetic writing. Soulful and heartbreaking. Momaday is descriptive without being boring, beautiful writing. I leaned t about human experience.

Unrivaled presence 🌅

I feel like this book took me places and I admire it for that. I am glad I finally got to read it.